Sylloge Nummorum Parthicorum

Volume VII is the first of nine volumes published in the Sylloge Nummorum Parthicorum series. This volume covers the reigns of the Arsacid kings Vologases I - Pacorus II (AD 51 to c. 110). Arsacid coins are the most important primary source for the history of Iran from the 3rd century BC until the end of Parthian rule in AD 224. They provide information about the succession of rulers as well as the political situation and economic conditions.The Sylloge Nummorum Parthicorum represents the first attempt to produce a full systematic reconstruction of the Parthian coin series. For this purpose, this project collated important coin collections in major museums collections around the world and has resulted in a new study of this numismatic material on an unprecedented scale. Volume VII, the first in the series, catalogues 1320 coins from museums and other sources; in addition, around 900 other coins have contributed data to the overall study in the monograph. A detailed typological and metrological analysis serves as the basis for the chronological study of the series. This reveals the fundamental importance of the study of this coinage for the reconstruction of the history of Parthia in this period.